Vintage Postcard of Mermaid from Weeki Wachee, Florida

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Weeki Wachee Springs

This post will show some of the vintage postcards of underwater mermaids plus a couple of other sites in Florida that my grandparents would have acquired many years ago on their vacations, prior to the postcards qualifying for vintage status.

My guess would place these postcards as being anywhere from 50 to 60 years of age.

The first four postcards will showcase Weeki Wachee Springs which is located in the central part of the State of Florida near the west coast. This aquatic attraction is located at the intersection of State Road 50 and Highway 19 which is just north of Spring Hill and south of Homosassa Springs to put things in perspective.

By-the-way, none of these postcards show a copyright.

Like so many other springs in Florida, Weeki Wachee provides crystal clear water giving unlimited visibility for this attraction which began its life in 1947.

An ex-Navy frogman by the name of Newton Perry decided to teach interested young females to learn breathing techniques getting their oxygen from an air-hose as he had learned enabling them to perform underwater activities for an audience. Thus, the idea of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids was born and evolved into what tourists can still see today.

An underwater theater that currently seats 400 people was built and tourists could look through the clear glass and watch the orchestrated performances of these bathing beauties who performed.

Obviously this took a great amount of training to be able to take sufficient air from the hose and then do their tricks like drinking soda from a bottle for minutes at a time before taking in more air. The "mermaids" would swim and do acrobatic tricks all while holding their breath underwater.

Back in the late nineteen forties and early 1950's, this became quite an unusual attraction to say the least. As a matter of fact, from what I have read, fewer than 20 people know how to do thisunderwateracrobatic performance today!

Now Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida has become a State Park.

Written on the back of the postcard at the top of this page is the following:

One of the thrilling scenes to be witnessed at amazing Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida.

Part of the land is leased to a private firm to operate these mermaid shows.

Vintage Postcard of Mermaids from Weeki Wachee, Florida

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Weeki Wachee Mermaid 2011 Calendar signing...

This card has the following on the back:

The underwater ballet troupe of shapely maidens who perform feats of grace and endurance in the crystal clear waters of Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida.

Color Photo by Ted Lagerberg

The Weeki Wachee River flows west and meets the Gulf of Mexico a mere five miles away.

Fish and turtles can be viewed in the water and even an occasional manatee might be sighted.

Vintage Postcard of Beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida

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On the flip side of this vintage postcard reads the following:

WEEKI WACHEE "SPRING OF THE MERMAIDS"

World's original and only all underwater theatre. Florida's most exciting and amazing attraction. The Mermaids perform under water for thirty long minutes! "You must see it to believe it." Located on U.S. 19 at Florida 50; sixty miles north of St. Petersburg.

Photo by Ted Lagerberg

Today, in addition to viewing the underwater performers in the submerged theater, there are river boat cruises that can be taken as well as other boating activities on the Weeki Wachee River.

In addition there are animal shows and a water park by the name of Buccaneer Bay operates during the season.

Vintage Postcard of Mermaids from Weeki Wachee, Florida

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On the back of this vintage postcard (above) reads the following:

Poetry in Motion. The beautiful underwater ballet troupe of shapely mermaids who perform amazing feats of grace and endurance at The Spring of the Mermaids, world famous Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida.

Mermaid of Weeki Wachee: Carli Dofka

This oversized "GIANT POST CARD" measuring 6 1/2 inches by 9 inches would have called for a 3 cent stamp. My...how times have changed!

Weeki Wachee Mermaids

Two more old non-copyrighted Florida postcards exist in the stack gathered by my grandparents while traveling through this state. Considering how close to Weeki Wachee Springs these other locations are...they might have all been collected on the same vacation trip.

Comments are welcomed! 58 comments

I have no idea. It has been a long time since I have visited that part of Texas.

Robert Sacchi 7 months ago

Yes, I took the glass bottom boat ride as well. I was there about 1980. I wonder if it has gotten bigger or smaller over the years.

Peggy W 7 months ago from Houston, Texas Author

Hi Robert,

I remember taking a glass bottomed boat ride at Aquamarina Springs in San Marcos, Texas many decades ago. I did not see the Aquamaids perform however. In reading about it, that underwater theater has been removed but the glass bottomed boat rides are still there.

Robert Sacchi 7 months ago

An interesting look back at the post cards. I remember seeing this place advertised on television once. They had an underwater show at Aquamarina Spring in Texas. I wonder how it compares.

Peggy W 2 years ago from Houston, Texas Author

Hi Lisa,

This is definitely a different type of site from the norm. Glad you liked learning about it and thanks for the pin.